Battle of Apple River Fort
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Apple River Fort, also known as the Siege of Apple River Fort, occurred on June 24, 1832 at the hastily constructed Apple River Fort
, in present-day Elizabeth, Illinois
, when Black Hawk
and his "British Band
" of Sauk and Fox stumbled across a group of messengers en route from Galena, Illinois
. The small group of militia at the fort, led by Captain Clack Stone
, fought off Chief Black Hawk's band in a firefight that lasted for 45 minutes. The withering pace of the gunfire eventually convinced Black Hawk that the fort was too heavily defended to lead a direct attack, and he and his band of warriors retreated.
After the battle, certain individuals were honored above the others for their bravery in assisting the numerically inferior force. Elizabeth Armstrong
rallied the settlement's women, who had taken shelter inside the fort, to mold musket balls and reload weapons so that the militia
could keep up with the pace of the battle. Fred Dixon rode ahead to warn some 40 settlers of the approaching Sauk and Fox, thus saving their lives. Though the fort was torn down in 1847, a replica was built in its place and still stands in Elizabeth. George Herclerode was the only casualty inside the fort.
of Indiana Territory
and a group of Sauk and Fox leaders regarding land settlement, the Sauk and Fox tribes vacated their lands in Illinois
and moved west of the Mississippi
in 1828. However, Sauk Chief Black Hawk
and others disputed the treaty, claiming that the full tribal councils had not been consulted, nor did those representing the tribes have authorization to cede lands. Angered by the loss of his birthplace, between 1830–31 Black Hawk led a number of incursions across the Mississippi River
, but was persuaded to return west each time without bloodshed. In April 1832, encouraged by promises of alliance with other tribes and the British, he again moved his so-called "British Band" of around 1000 warriors and non-combatants into Illinois. Finding no allies, he attempted to return to Iowa
, but the undisciplined Illinois militia's actions led to the Battle of Stillman's Run
. A number of other engagements followed, and the militias of Michigan Territory
and Illinois were mobilized to hunt down Black Hawk's Band. The conflict became known as the Black Hawk War
.
The period between Stillman's Run and the Battle of Apple River Fort was filled with war-related activity and events. A series of attacks at Buffalo Grove
, the Plum River settlement
, Fort Blue Mounds
and the war's most famous incident, the Indian Creek massacre
, all took place between mid-May and late June 1832. The week preceding the Battle of Apple River Fort was an important turning point for the militia: between 16–18 June two key battles, one at Waddams Grove
and the other at Horseshoe Bend
, played a key role in changing public perception about the militia after its defeat at Stillman's Run.
Following the militia's disastrous defeat at Stillman's Run
in May, settlers in the lead-mining region around Galena
panicked; many left the area altogether. The exaggerated claim that 2,000 "bloodthirsty warriors were sweeping all Northern Illinois with the bosom of destruction" sent terror through the region. At the Apple River Settlement, the situation prompted residents to form a 46-man militia
under Captain Vance L. Davidson. By late May Davidson was at the Plum River settlement (present-day Savanna, Illinois
) and Captain Clack Stone
had taken over command; under his lead the Apple River Fort
was completed by May 22, 1832. In the days immediately preceding June 18, 1832, Apple River Fort's stables were broken into and horses were stolen during the night. This incident was one of several around that time that led Illinois militia officer James W. Stephenson
to clash with British Band warriors at Waddams Grove on June 18.
On June 24, 1832, a supply wagon from Galena arrived at Apple River Fort around noon. Unknown to the men traveling with the wagon, Black Hawk and his British Band, also en route to the fort, had fallen in line with them. Black Hawk's forces were able to elude detection until the time they opened fire. As the wagon team unhitched, four men traveling on the trail from Galena passed by; the women inside the fort were eager to hear their news of the conflict with Black Hawk.
There were 20–25 armed militia inside Apple River Fort at the time of the attack. Another 40 women, children and other settlers were resident in the Apple River Settlement. Stone was in command of the garrison stationed at the fort, most of whom were not present for the battle.
, stopped briefly at the fort and then continued on their way. The group was about 900 feet (274 m) east of the fort when the only man with a loaded gun, Welsch, was ambush
ed by Black Hawk's warriors. He was shot in the thigh and fell from his horse. His companions aimed their unloaded weapons at the band, putting themselves between the wounded man and his attackers. The group recovered Welsch and moved away from their assailants toward the fort. Dixon, who has been credited with saving the lives of those settlers who would otherwise have been caught outside the fort, rode ahead of his companions to raise the alarm before he left the scene to spread news of the attack. At least two of the group attained the safety of the fort, while Dixon fled on horseback into the forest towards the nearby farm of John McDonald, only to find it overrun by Native Americans
as well. Dixon then abandoned his horse and traveled to Galena, where he reported the Apple River Fort to be under siege.
The villagers took shelter inside the fort while the 20–25 men stationed there immediately fell back and took up their positions at the porthole
s inside the blockhouse
. A vicious firefight
erupted, involving around 150–200 of Black Hawk's British Band
. The battle raged for at least 45 minutes with heavy gunfire from both sides. At the battle's onset most of the settlement's women had been huddled in the cabins, but one woman, Elizabeth Armstrong
, rallied the others to provide support to the soldiers. She assumed command of the women, assigning them to such tasks as molding musket
balls and reloading the weapons while the soldiers tried to keep up their stream of gunfire.
The ferocity of the fight convinced Black Hawk that Apple River Fort was a heavily armed garrison, impossible to defeat at the time, and he abandoned the fight. His band raided cabins near the fort for much-needed supplies, and retreated. Casualties were few, given the intensity of the battle. Herclerode was shot in the neck or head early in the battle and died; it has been documented that he was killed while peering over the stockade wall's pickets. Besides Welsch, the only other garrison casualty was James Nuting, who suffered a non-lethal wound. The number of Sauk casualties is unknown.
arrived at the fort from Galena, with Dixon and a relief party. The next day Black Hawk's band would encounter Major John Dement
and his detachment at the Second Battle of Kellogg's Grove. The only militia member killed in the fighting, Herclerode, was buried near the fort; there is no trace of his grave.
Elizabeth Armstrong was praised as a heroine for her actions during the battle, displaying the kind of courage under fire the militia had so badly lacked during the first months of the Black Hawk War
. Her actions, in part, helped give Black Hawk the impression the Apple River Fort was heavily defended and a frontal attack would be inane.
There has been disagreement regarding the name of the woman who assumed command at Apple River Fort; a 1900 collection from the Wisconsin Historical Society described her as "Mrs. Graham." The same source stated that Armstrong was "cursing & swearing like a pirate" throughout the battle; so angry that even Black Hawk's band purported to hear her. The same collection described such action as "profane" and "a great drawback upon her credit."
The fort was demolished in 1847 and its lumber used to construct a barn, but the building has been reconstructed by the Apple River Fort Historic Foundation. The Apple River Fort Site is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
for its military and archaeological significance.
On January 1, 2001, the state of Illinois took over operation of the reconstructed Apple River Fort and its interpretive center. The state now operates the area as the Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Illinois' purchase was funded, in part, through a US$
160,000 grant from the state of Illinois.
Apple River Fort
Apple River Fort, today known as Apple River Fort State Historic Site, was one of many frontier forts hastily completed by settlers in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin following the onset of the 1832 Black Hawk War. Located in present-day Elizabeth, Illinois, United States, the fort at the...
, in present-day Elizabeth, Illinois
Elizabeth, Illinois
Elizabeth is a village in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. The population was 761 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Elizabeth is located at ....
, when Black Hawk
Black Hawk (chief)
Black Hawk was a leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe in what is now the United States. Although he had inherited an important historic medicine bundle, he was not one of the Sauk's hereditary civil chiefs...
and his "British Band
British Band
The British Band was a group of Native Americans which fought against Illinois and Michigan Territory militia units during the 1832 Black Hawk War. The band was composed of about 1,500 men, women, and children from the Sauk, Meskwaki, Fox, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Ottawa nations;...
" of Sauk and Fox stumbled across a group of messengers en route from Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
. The small group of militia at the fort, led by Captain Clack Stone
Clack Stone
Clack Stone was a captain in the 27th Regiment Illinois Militia during the 1832 Black Hawk War. He was in charge of a company mustered into service in May 1832 from Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Stone was in charge of the garrison at the Apple River settlement in present-day Elizabeth during two...
, fought off Chief Black Hawk's band in a firefight that lasted for 45 minutes. The withering pace of the gunfire eventually convinced Black Hawk that the fort was too heavily defended to lead a direct attack, and he and his band of warriors retreated.
After the battle, certain individuals were honored above the others for their bravery in assisting the numerically inferior force. Elizabeth Armstrong
Elizabeth Armstrong (settler)
Elizabeth Armstrong was a settler at the site of the Apple River Fort in present-day Elizabeth, Illinois. She was praised for her bravery during the Battle of Apple River Fort in the 1832 Black Hawk War.-Early life:...
rallied the settlement's women, who had taken shelter inside the fort, to mold musket balls and reload weapons so that the militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
could keep up with the pace of the battle. Fred Dixon rode ahead to warn some 40 settlers of the approaching Sauk and Fox, thus saving their lives. Though the fort was torn down in 1847, a replica was built in its place and still stands in Elizabeth. George Herclerode was the only casualty inside the fort.
Background
As a consequence of an 1804 treaty between the GovernorGovernor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Indiana Territory
Indiana Territory
The Territory of Indiana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1800, until November 7, 1816, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Indiana....
and a group of Sauk and Fox leaders regarding land settlement, the Sauk and Fox tribes vacated their lands in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and moved west of the Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
in 1828. However, Sauk Chief Black Hawk
Black Hawk (chief)
Black Hawk was a leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe in what is now the United States. Although he had inherited an important historic medicine bundle, he was not one of the Sauk's hereditary civil chiefs...
and others disputed the treaty, claiming that the full tribal councils had not been consulted, nor did those representing the tribes have authorization to cede lands. Angered by the loss of his birthplace, between 1830–31 Black Hawk led a number of incursions across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, but was persuaded to return west each time without bloodshed. In April 1832, encouraged by promises of alliance with other tribes and the British, he again moved his so-called "British Band" of around 1000 warriors and non-combatants into Illinois. Finding no allies, he attempted to return to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, but the undisciplined Illinois militia's actions led to the Battle of Stillman's Run
Battle of Stillman's Run
The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to...
. A number of other engagements followed, and the militias of Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
and Illinois were mobilized to hunt down Black Hawk's Band. The conflict became known as the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
.
The period between Stillman's Run and the Battle of Apple River Fort was filled with war-related activity and events. A series of attacks at Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove, Ogle County, Illinois
Buffalo Grove is an unincorporated community in the Ogle County township of Buffalo, Illinois, USA. It was the first settlement in Ogle County, and was once a bustling frontier town that attracted many of Ogle County's early residents. The creation of the Illinois Central Railroad, caused most of...
, the Plum River settlement
Savanna, Illinois
Savanna is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,062 at the 2010 census, down from 3,542 at the 2000 census. Savanna is located along the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Plum River. Going from north to south, the second automobile bridge between Iowa and...
, Fort Blue Mounds
Blue Mounds Fort
Fort Blue Mounds, also known as Blue Mounds Fort, was located in Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wisconsin, USA.-History:The settlement of Blue Mounds was founded in 1828 by Ebenezer Brigham on the south slope of the eastern mound of the Blue Mounds...
and the war's most famous incident, the Indian Creek massacre
Indian Creek massacre
The Indian Creek massacre occurred on May 21, 1832, when a group of United States settlers in LaSalle County, Illinois, were attacked by a party of Native Americans. The massacre was sparked by the outbreak of the Black Hawk War, but it was not directly related to Sauk leader Black Hawk's conflict...
, all took place between mid-May and late June 1832. The week preceding the Battle of Apple River Fort was an important turning point for the militia: between 16–18 June two key battles, one at Waddams Grove
Battle of Waddams Grove
The Battle of Waddams Grove, also known as the Battle of Yellow Creek was part of the Black Hawk War. It took place in present-day Stephenson County, Illinois on June 18, 1832. After several incidents of Sauk Indian raids on settlers along the Apple River, Captain James W. Stephenson left Galena...
and the other at Horseshoe Bend
Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1832)
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, also referred to as the Battle of Pecatonica and the Battle of Bloody Lake, was fought on June 16, 1832 in present-day Wisconsin at an oxbow lake known as "Horseshoe Bend", which was formed by a change in course of the Pecatonica River. The battle was a major turning...
, played a key role in changing public perception about the militia after its defeat at Stillman's Run.
Prelude
Map of Black Hawk War sites Battle (with name)  Fort / settlement  Native villageSymbols are wikilinked to article |
Following the militia's disastrous defeat at Stillman's Run
Battle of Stillman's Run
The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to...
in May, settlers in the lead-mining region around Galena
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
panicked; many left the area altogether. The exaggerated claim that 2,000 "bloodthirsty warriors were sweeping all Northern Illinois with the bosom of destruction" sent terror through the region. At the Apple River Settlement, the situation prompted residents to form a 46-man militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
under Captain Vance L. Davidson. By late May Davidson was at the Plum River settlement (present-day Savanna, Illinois
Savanna, Illinois
Savanna is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,062 at the 2010 census, down from 3,542 at the 2000 census. Savanna is located along the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Plum River. Going from north to south, the second automobile bridge between Iowa and...
) and Captain Clack Stone
Clack Stone
Clack Stone was a captain in the 27th Regiment Illinois Militia during the 1832 Black Hawk War. He was in charge of a company mustered into service in May 1832 from Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Stone was in charge of the garrison at the Apple River settlement in present-day Elizabeth during two...
had taken over command; under his lead the Apple River Fort
Apple River Fort
Apple River Fort, today known as Apple River Fort State Historic Site, was one of many frontier forts hastily completed by settlers in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin following the onset of the 1832 Black Hawk War. Located in present-day Elizabeth, Illinois, United States, the fort at the...
was completed by May 22, 1832. In the days immediately preceding June 18, 1832, Apple River Fort's stables were broken into and horses were stolen during the night. This incident was one of several around that time that led Illinois militia officer James W. Stephenson
James W. Stephenson
James W. Stephenson was an American militia officer and politician from the state of Illinois. He was born in Virginia but spent most of his youth in Edwardsville, Illinois. In 1825 he was indicted for the murder of a family acquaintance, but never went to trial...
to clash with British Band warriors at Waddams Grove on June 18.
On June 24, 1832, a supply wagon from Galena arrived at Apple River Fort around noon. Unknown to the men traveling with the wagon, Black Hawk and his British Band, also en route to the fort, had fallen in line with them. Black Hawk's forces were able to elude detection until the time they opened fire. As the wagon team unhitched, four men traveling on the trail from Galena passed by; the women inside the fort were eager to hear their news of the conflict with Black Hawk.
There were 20–25 armed militia inside Apple River Fort at the time of the attack. Another 40 women, children and other settlers were resident in the Apple River Settlement. Stone was in command of the garrison stationed at the fort, most of whom were not present for the battle.
Battle
The group of men, George Herclerode, Fred Dixon, Edmund Welsch, and a Mr. Kirkpatrick were part of a military message escort known as an "express". They were travelling from Galena to DixonDixon, Illinois
Dixon is a city in Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,733 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,941 at the 2000 census. Named for its founder, John Dixon , it is the county seat of Lee County. Located on the Rock River, Dixon was the boyhood home of former U.S...
, stopped briefly at the fort and then continued on their way. The group was about 900 feet (274 m) east of the fort when the only man with a loaded gun, Welsch, was ambush
Ambush
An ambush is a long-established military tactic, in which the aggressors take advantage of concealment and the element of surprise to attack an unsuspecting enemy from concealed positions, such as among dense underbrush or behind hilltops...
ed by Black Hawk's warriors. He was shot in the thigh and fell from his horse. His companions aimed their unloaded weapons at the band, putting themselves between the wounded man and his attackers. The group recovered Welsch and moved away from their assailants toward the fort. Dixon, who has been credited with saving the lives of those settlers who would otherwise have been caught outside the fort, rode ahead of his companions to raise the alarm before he left the scene to spread news of the attack. At least two of the group attained the safety of the fort, while Dixon fled on horseback into the forest towards the nearby farm of John McDonald, only to find it overrun by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
as well. Dixon then abandoned his horse and traveled to Galena, where he reported the Apple River Fort to be under siege.
The villagers took shelter inside the fort while the 20–25 men stationed there immediately fell back and took up their positions at the porthole
Porthole
A porthole is a generally circular, window used on the hull of ships to admit light and air. Porthole is actually an abbreviated term for "port hole window"...
s inside the blockhouse
Blockhouse
In military science, a blockhouse is a small, isolated fort in the form of a single building. It serves as a defensive strong point against any enemy that does not possess siege equipment or, in modern times, artillery...
. A vicious firefight
Firefight
Firefight may refer to:* firefight, a large exchange of bullets between two sides * Firefighting, process of extinguishing destructive flames* A game mode in Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach video games...
erupted, involving around 150–200 of Black Hawk's British Band
British Band
The British Band was a group of Native Americans which fought against Illinois and Michigan Territory militia units during the 1832 Black Hawk War. The band was composed of about 1,500 men, women, and children from the Sauk, Meskwaki, Fox, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Ottawa nations;...
. The battle raged for at least 45 minutes with heavy gunfire from both sides. At the battle's onset most of the settlement's women had been huddled in the cabins, but one woman, Elizabeth Armstrong
Elizabeth Armstrong (settler)
Elizabeth Armstrong was a settler at the site of the Apple River Fort in present-day Elizabeth, Illinois. She was praised for her bravery during the Battle of Apple River Fort in the 1832 Black Hawk War.-Early life:...
, rallied the others to provide support to the soldiers. She assumed command of the women, assigning them to such tasks as molding musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
balls and reloading the weapons while the soldiers tried to keep up their stream of gunfire.
The ferocity of the fight convinced Black Hawk that Apple River Fort was a heavily armed garrison, impossible to defeat at the time, and he abandoned the fight. His band raided cabins near the fort for much-needed supplies, and retreated. Casualties were few, given the intensity of the battle. Herclerode was shot in the neck or head early in the battle and died; it has been documented that he was killed while peering over the stockade wall's pickets. Besides Welsch, the only other garrison casualty was James Nuting, who suffered a non-lethal wound. The number of Sauk casualties is unknown.
Aftermath
The defenders at Apple River Fort awaited the next move by Black Hawk, holding their positions through the night, but dawn came without incident. On the day following the battle, June 25, Colonel James M. StrodeJames M. Strode
James M. Strode was a militia officer and politician from the U.S. state of Illinois. He served in the Illinois militia during the Winnebago War and the Black Hawk War. Strode, originally from Tennessee, lived much of his life in Galena, Illinois...
arrived at the fort from Galena, with Dixon and a relief party. The next day Black Hawk's band would encounter Major John Dement
John Dement
John Dement was a politician and militia commander from the U.S. state of Illinois.Born in Tennessee, he migrated with his family to Illinois when he was in his early teens. His first political office was as county sheriff and he later served multiple terms in the Illinois House of Representatives...
and his detachment at the Second Battle of Kellogg's Grove. The only militia member killed in the fighting, Herclerode, was buried near the fort; there is no trace of his grave.
Elizabeth Armstrong was praised as a heroine for her actions during the battle, displaying the kind of courage under fire the militia had so badly lacked during the first months of the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. Her actions, in part, helped give Black Hawk the impression the Apple River Fort was heavily defended and a frontal attack would be inane.
There has been disagreement regarding the name of the woman who assumed command at Apple River Fort; a 1900 collection from the Wisconsin Historical Society described her as "Mrs. Graham." The same source stated that Armstrong was "cursing & swearing like a pirate" throughout the battle; so angry that even Black Hawk's band purported to hear her. The same collection described such action as "profane" and "a great drawback upon her credit."
The fort was demolished in 1847 and its lumber used to construct a barn, but the building has been reconstructed by the Apple River Fort Historic Foundation. The Apple River Fort Site is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
for its military and archaeological significance.
On January 1, 2001, the state of Illinois took over operation of the reconstructed Apple River Fort and its interpretive center. The state now operates the area as the Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Illinois' purchase was funded, in part, through a US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
160,000 grant from the state of Illinois.
External links
- Apple River Fort State Historic Site
- The Guns of Apple River Fort: Analysis of archaeological data